Heart Tests? Eyes?
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| There is a cardiac test, however I personally have never done this. Now correct me if I am wrong, but any breeder I have ever known that has done cardiac testing has done so because there was a problem (heart murmer that was not innocent, etc) I would love to hear if any other breeders regularly do cardiac screening on all of their breeding dogs. Although I have never had any heart issues with my dogs, maybe this is something that should be done? I personally test hips, eyes, and thyroid. The eyes are examined by an opthalmologist, and then the results need to be sent to CERF for certification. |
I've done cardiac on Chewie, as part of the screening tests. Had it done at a show doing a clinic, so it was easy and definitely a better price. Everything was normal (and I expected that), and the cardiology vet loved him - that obedience training makes for such a well behaved patient, and he kissed the vet when it was done....   Krisitine had also done all the puppies in the litter when they were little, so it was a follow-up on that. Eye testing (CERF) done at a show as a eye clinic as well  Just had to get the dilating drops in AFTER we went in the rally ring  |
| For the past 4 years in Greeley at the shows, they hold a fantastic health clinic. The following tests are done, and at penny's for cost of what they normally cost" Hip and Elbow xrays Eye Cerf's Thyroid exams Heart Certification Von Willowbrands Baer Hearing exams I feel very lucky to have these available. Each year i have the eye's recerfed, last year 3 dogs $45.00 total. |
| Diane here we test for Hips/Elbows, thyroid and eyes they are the minumum testing done. With eyes has to be a certified opthalmologist approved by the kennel club, testing on the eyes starts at 8 weeks onwards, every 12 months you have to go again and be tested and by the age of 8 years old you get your final clearance. This is because of PRA which can strike at any age, usually in a dog that is more mature when it hits, but after that period of time and turning 8, if no signs then you are granted that final exam and clearance also along the way they test for Juvenile cataracts and older age cataracts as well as other things on an annual basis. Each year you take your dog they dilate the pupils and go in with all sorts of weird scopes in the light and in the dark to see everything is still all clear. The results each year go onto here what they call the ACES register. (Australian Canine Eye Scheme) As far as testing for heart, most vets will pick up a problem if there is a mummur, cardio Myopathy etc when a youngster or just going in for a first or annual check so no not here do we test for heart unless you suspect something abnormal as they mature. |
Ali wrote: I feel very lucky to have these available. Each year i have the eye's recerfed, last year 3 dogs $45.00 total. Sweet!!!! I take my three youngest to a yearly CERF clinic at a local show and consider myself lucky to pay $75. Kristine |
Blueshire wrote: There is a cardiac test, however I personally have never done this. Now correct me if I am wrong, but any breeder I have ever known that has done cardiac testing has done so because there was a problem (heart murmer that was not innocent, etc) I would love to hear if any other breeders regularly do cardiac screening on all of their breeding dogs. Although I have never had any heart issues with my dogs, maybe this is something that should be done? More breeders in the US at least are starting to do cardiac testing, and, no, not necessarily because they've experienced a problem themselves, though some times that's the case, but simply because we know there are cardiac problems in the breed and they can sneak up on you. I'd never thought about despite losing my first (BYB) OES to cardiomyopathy, duh!, till I called a local OES breeder to find out where she takes her dogs for BAER testing and she told me who she uses for cardiac testing as well. So there's a little bit of a ripple effect, but still very few breeders who routinely do it. In fact I have to get my three youngest done this spring. If I wasn't planning on breeding one of them I probably wouldn't bother, no. Hips, eyes and thyroid are definitely higher priority. But some times I look at a breed like dobes and boxers and think, geez, would they be in this position (high rates of heart problems) if they'd done more routine screening before their cardiac problems became so horribly ingrained? Kristine |
| This information is important for informing people who buy puppies WHY a good dog can cost so much. I bet if good breeders subtracted from their puppy fees the cost of all the testing, all the showing (show entry fees, gas, hotels etc), vet costs, all the time spent training and nurturing, the time spent grooming, that the true hourly wage of a good breeder would not make one a millionaire. The good ones must just do it for sheer love of the breed. I love seeing that discussions continue happening regarding what is good to maintain the health and robustness of Old English Sheepdogs, that good breeders try to stay current with new knowledge and testing etc. |
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